Do you think most people avoid criminal activities because they fear consequences or have good ethics?

Answer 1

There is no way to determine deterrence.
So,
That leaves ethics.

Answer 2

I have a good sense of right and wrong, but I must admit that I fear the consequences of doing something bad. The consequences have always held me back from seeking revenge or gaining something unlawfully since I was a child.

I think that the criminal consequences in our society hold most people in society in check.

Answer 3

Where did you get your ethical views from? Your parents, I presume? I came to the conclusion long ago that what makes us criminal or non criminal is having parents who expect better of us or, sadly, having nobody in our lives who gives a toss. It all goes back a long way and only recently has research shown (surprise, surprise) that most offenders come from broken homes where nobody pays much attention to them.

Answer 4

Myself. I do not commit crimes becasue of personal ethics....not fear of punishment.

In fact I break a few laws that I think are stupid, but I do not steal, murder, assault because of personal ethics and the harm to others involved.

Answer 5

I believe most people avoid criminal activity because it is wrong. No one ever believes they will be caught. And they often are not.
Kisses Betty B.

Answer 6

you wont deter a criminal because the punishment is part of doing business so ethics

Answer 7

I'm afraid that even most Christians are just trying to avoid punishment, or get a reward in the afterlife, which is the same thing.